Sock



United State Patmt Q 3,289,329 SOCK Rosalie R. Weiss, 749 Eaton St., Memphis, Tenn. Filed Oct. 7, 1963-, Ser. No. 314,301

1 Claim. (Cl. 36-10) This invention relates to an improved sock construction, and particularly relates tothat type of sock which has substantially none of the sock protruding above the shoe.

Socks of the above-mentioned type are generally used for sportswear,.particularlyzin playing golf, tennis, and for hiking, and. are especially worn by women who desire to get the same tan on the top of their feet and ankles as on their legsw There has heretofore been the problem associated with this type of sock of the sock not staying up and working down into the shoe. This problem can be appreciated when it is considered that in golf, tennis, and hiking there is a great deal of walking done or exercise in which the feet are moved around to cause the sock to have a tendency to fall down in the shoe; There have been previous attempts to solve this problem, but none have been entirely satisfactory for one reason or another.

The present invention is directed towards solving the above-mentioned and other problems in socks of this t e.

lhus, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sock of the heretofore mentioned type which stays in place in the shoe.

A further object is to provide such a sock that covers all of the necessary places where rubbing might otherwise take place, and which is comfortable to the wearer.

A further object is to provide such a sock that cradles the foot and clings to the shoe so that it remains firmly in place.

A further object is to provide such a sock that has. a unique heel portion that assists in keeping the sock m place.

A further object is to provide such a heel portion that includes an inner portion and a relatively thick outer portion, which are combined to provide a heel portion thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the remaining portions of the body of the sock.

A further object is to provide such a heel portion that extends upwardly from the sole to the rearward portion of the sock edge and upwardly therebeyond for a substantial distance to provide a substantially rectangular tab having vertically extending ribs, and adapted to be folded down over the outside of the heel of the shoe to assist in holding the sock in place.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of socks.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sock of the present invention shown in place on the foot of a wearer and with the shoe and the foot of the wearer being shown in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the sock of the present invention shown in a flat position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the sock 11 of the present invention comprises a sock body 12 including a toe 13, sole 15, heel 17, instep engaging portion 19, and opposite sides 21, 23.

3,289,329 1 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 Sock 11 includes an opening 25 through which the .foot F of the wearer is adapted to pass in putting on the it extends to .a place adjacent the edge 29 of the shoe 31 when the shoe and the sock are in place on the foot F of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 1. Although edge 27 extends to a place adjacent edge 29, it does not extend thereabove so that substantially the entire area of the foot F'which is exposed by the shoe 31 is also exposed bythe sock 11. Edge 27 includes a rearward portion 33 adjacent heel 17, which, in addition to its function as a means for closely embracing the foot F, also serves as a hinge-like structure, as will be better understoodin the description to follow. It should be noted that the cut of opening 25 appears substantially 'V-shaped when sock 11 is placed flat, as shown in FIG. 2, so that when the sock is worn with a shoe the portions of edge 27 adjacent the sides 21, 23 will be spaced well below the edge of the shoe while those portions of edge 27 adjacent heel 17 and instep 19 will be nearer the edge of the shoe to cover places where the shoe might otherwise rub the wearers foot.

The heel 17 and the related structure form an important part of the present invention and is preferably constructed as follows: Heel 17 comprises an inner portion 35 that is the actual portion that engages the heel of the wearer, and is preferably a plain purl stitch. In addition, heel 17 includes a relatively thick outer portion 37 by stitches which include slip stitches and knit stitches,

that is, knitting one or more stitches alternated with slipping one or more stitches to establish a somewhat rib-like appearance with the ridges or ribs extending ver tically. Thus, inner and outer portions 35, 37 form a relatively firm reinforced heel which is at. least twice the thickness of the remainder of the body of the sock and which extends from adjacent sole 15 upwardly to rearward portion 33 to aid in holding the sock in place on the foot of the wearer and prevent it from falling down. Also, the material of heel 17 preferably continues upwardly for a substantial distance, as, for example, 1 inches, beyond rearward portion 33 to establish a substantially rectangular tab 41. In other words, when the sock 11 is in the flat position shown in FIG. 2, the tab 41 forms an extension of heel 17 that extends above rearward portion 33. Tab 41 is preferably formed by a ribbed stitch to establish vertical ribs 42. Tab 41 is adapted to be folded down over the outside heel 43 of the shoe 31, as seen in FIG. 1, with the rearward portion 33 serving as the hinge or folding place, which tab aids in keeping the sock 11 in place on the foot F of the wearer.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the sock of the present invention stays firmly in place and will not fall down into the shoe, yet provides a sock which is very comfortable to the wearer. In addition, the sock of the present invention is neat in appearance and economical to manufacture. Additionally, the sock of the present invention exposes substantially all of the foot of the wearer that is exposed by the shoe, and yet covers all of the necessary places where rubbing might otherwise take place.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: A sock comprising a body including a toe, sole, heel and instep engaging portion; said sock body having an upper crocheted edge defining a substantially V-shaped opening through which'tlie foot of the wearer is adapted to pass, said edge including elastic means therein and being ofa'height to extend adjacent the edge of a shoe to be worn with said edge of said'sock adjacent the sides thereof being spaced substantially below the edge of the shoe and with said-edge of said sock adjacent'said heel and said instep engaging portion being closer to the edg e of the shoe whereby none of said-sock extends over the portions of the wearers foot and ankle that are exposed by theshoe and yet the portions of the shoe which'might otherwise rub are covered, said edge including a rearward portion adjacent said heel of said sock,

said heel of said'sock comprisingan inner portion and" a relatively thick outer portion of a plurality of vertically extending rib-like structures which provides 'a heel thickness of at least twice the thickness of the' remainder of the body of the sock, said heel of said sock extending upwardly from said sole to said rearward portion of said edge and upwardly therebeyond for a substantial distance to provide a substantially rectangular tab having vertically extending ribs and adapted to be folded down over the outside heel of the shoe to be worn with said rearward portion of said edge serving as the folding place.

References Cited by the Examiner JORDA FRANKLIN, Primary Examine 2o FRANK F. coHEN, Examiner.

2H. H. HUNTER, Assistant Examiner. 

